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Twice around the world in 40 days
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So much of the world, so little time
You may very well say that, but try putting yourself in my shoes, young man!
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And mine!You may very well say that, but try putting yourself in my shoes, young man!
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The Arles amphitheatre was very similar to the one at Nimes.
Now, a confession. I've had a bit of a phobia about visiting France. I had a very bad experience the first time I visited (ripped off, treated rudely ...). I came back for work a number of times in the late '90s, early 2000s but didn't like the counterparts in the Paris office so that didn't help. So I haven't been keen to go back. But this trip was, amazingly quite OK, and my French even got me further than I expected. So I think I'll plan to come back and certainly do things in a more relaxed way; France is a big country! The rushed weekend served two purposes 
.
Now, a confession. I've had a bit of a phobia about visiting France. I had a very bad experience the first time I visited (ripped off, treated rudely ...). I came back for work a number of times in the late '90s, early 2000s but didn't like the counterparts in the Paris office so that didn't help. So I haven't been keen to go back. But this trip was, amazingly
quite OK, and my French even got me further than I expected. So I think I'll plan to come back and certainly do things in a more relaxed way; France is a big country! The rushed weekend served two purposes .
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And now for something completely different.
I asked around on AFF about the Airbus factory tour at Toulouse and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it. So that opened the opportunity to do something unique, and that was to visit the Millau Viaduct, a spectacular engineering marvel east of Toulouse. It was a bit out of the way, but I had time.
The weather had cleared in Arles, but as I progressed up the mountains toward Millau it became overcast then started to rain. Bu**er! It cleared again as I approached the bridge. LH pic from the north, RH pic approaching from the south (which was unplanned ...)
There is a road-side stop on the southern side of the bridge, with a 'gourmet cafe', info about the bridge and some view points.
Previously the road went through the towns you can see in the valley and was bad in summer (its one of the main routes from Paris to Spain)- hence the bridge. But you can see from the pics above that they could have descended the new road down into the valley a bit and then ascended it, bridging the river that's in the foreground. But no! A 400 million euro statement of French engineering; 200,000 t of concrete, 36,000 t of steel decking. The world's two highest bridge pylons, at 245 and 221m and the road deck is 270m above the river (which is immediately in the fore-ground in the pics, so you don't see the full height). So I took this pic from the display centre exhibition:
The valley and towns bypassed:
I planned just to visit the rest area then return towards Toulouse and was surprised that there was no toll on the approach from the north. I saw that there were exits towards the north from the rest stop, so I thought I had a win. But no. At the rest area, the two streams of traffic were kept separate (I wondered why there were 2 different parking lots), so I was forced south towards the tolls and then I had to turn around and pay the toll again
. About 8 euros each way, but the experience was worth it for me.
I asked around on AFF about the Airbus factory tour at Toulouse and the consensus was that it wasn't worth it. So that opened the opportunity to do something unique, and that was to visit the Millau Viaduct, a spectacular engineering marvel east of Toulouse. It was a bit out of the way, but I had time.
The weather had cleared in Arles, but as I progressed up the mountains toward Millau it became overcast then started to rain. Bu**er! It cleared again as I approached the bridge. LH pic from the north, RH pic approaching from the south (which was unplanned ...)
There is a road-side stop on the southern side of the bridge, with a 'gourmet cafe', info about the bridge and some view points.
Previously the road went through the towns you can see in the valley and was bad in summer (its one of the main routes from Paris to Spain)- hence the bridge. But you can see from the pics above that they could have descended the new road down into the valley a bit and then ascended it, bridging the river that's in the foreground. But no! A 400 million euro statement of French engineering; 200,000 t of concrete, 36,000 t of steel decking. The world's two highest bridge pylons, at 245 and 221m and the road deck is 270m above the river (which is immediately in the fore-ground in the pics, so you don't see the full height). So I took this pic from the display centre exhibition:
The valley and towns bypassed:
I planned just to visit the rest area then return towards Toulouse and was surprised that there was no toll on the approach from the north. I saw that there were exits towards the north from the rest stop, so I thought I had a win. But no. At the rest area, the two streams of traffic were kept separate (I wondered why there were 2 different parking lots), so I was forced south towards the tolls and then I had to turn around and pay the toll again
. About 8 euros each way, but the experience was worth it for me.
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Time to head back west to Toulouse. It looked like of back-road-ish but was a good quality surface, and I could zoom along pretty quick. In fact the road seemed to traverse hill-tops mostly and there were very nice views across the countryside for much of the way. This is my entire route, with the viaduct in the top middle:
I went through the charming town of St Affrique, The bridge dates before 1350 and I dare say the church is isn't much younger.
Bed for the night was the Pullman at Toulouse airport. It was a good choice. Delivered the rental car back, after taking a wrong turn at the airport road maze and ending up in a parking lot I didn't want! Call to the hotel brought a van in a few minutes and I was soon checking in.
A nice feel straight away, although they had caught the 'crazy designs' virus.
Room was good.
The face thing was a bit concerning, until realising what it was. A clutch of bunnies grazed peacefully on the grass below.
I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and it was a cut above in terms of service and food quality than most airport hotel restaurants.
I went through the charming town of St Affrique, The bridge dates before 1350 and I dare say the church is isn't much younger.
Bed for the night was the Pullman at Toulouse airport. It was a good choice. Delivered the rental car back, after taking a wrong turn at the airport road maze and ending up in a parking lot I didn't want! Call to the hotel brought a van in a few minutes and I was soon checking in.
A nice feel straight away, although they had caught the 'crazy designs' virus.
Room was good.
The face thing was a bit concerning, until realising what it was. A clutch of bunnies grazed peacefully on the grass below.
I had dinner at the hotel restaurant, and it was a cut above in terms of service and food quality than most airport hotel restaurants.
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At TLS, I had already checked in on-line, so it was straight to security, which was one of the best I have been in, anywhere. At 6:30am, there were 5 lanes open, well laid out and not a queue in sight. Immigration also efficient, but TLS's shine wore off when I couldn't find a BA lounge. I had done a bit of research, and I thought there was one, but if there was, I missed it. So that was my brekky plan shot. Anyway a coffee and croissant in te depatures area had to do.
The BA flight TLS-LHR on A321 was perfectly standard. Their purchased M&S coffee isn't bad. I got an exit row, but there was not special demo or instructions given by the flight crew.
Landing I was apprehensive about the immigration process (as you are, at LHR). However this time it was relatively painless, and as I was HLO, I was out of the terminal pretty quick. Picked up my bag from the Sofitel and an Avis car and headed for nearby Reading in Berkshire, where I had a date with the Berkshire Record Office and some more research. Reading suffers from being too near to London and has little charm about it at all. I stayed at the Ibis Oxford Road which was pretty basic, although the room, a mansard-type, was deathly quiet, which I always appreciate.
Done at Reading the next day, I was off to Birmingham, but decided to stop off at Abingdon-on-Thames, as it has a connection with the chap I'm researching. Nice drive there and its a lovely Thames-rside setting (although the town itself suffers from traffic jams).
The church is St Helen's, dating from 1100 and proudly boasts of being the second widest in England (being 5 aisles wide and its wider than it is long).
Lots more history around here, but a visit to the church was enough for me, and it was off to Birmingham, and Castle Bromwich Hall.
The BA flight TLS-LHR on A321 was perfectly standard. Their purchased M&S coffee isn't bad. I got an exit row, but there was not special demo or instructions given by the flight crew.
Landing I was apprehensive about the immigration process (as you are, at LHR). However this time it was relatively painless, and as I was HLO, I was out of the terminal pretty quick. Picked up my bag from the Sofitel and an Avis car and headed for nearby Reading in Berkshire, where I had a date with the Berkshire Record Office and some more research. Reading suffers from being too near to London and has little charm about it at all. I stayed at the Ibis Oxford Road which was pretty basic, although the room, a mansard-type, was deathly quiet, which I always appreciate.
Done at Reading the next day, I was off to Birmingham, but decided to stop off at Abingdon-on-Thames, as it has a connection with the chap I'm researching. Nice drive there and its a lovely Thames-rside setting (although the town itself suffers from traffic jams).
The church is St Helen's, dating from 1100 and proudly boasts of being the second widest in England (being 5 aisles wide and its wider than it is long).
Lots more history around here, but a visit to the church was enough for me, and it was off to Birmingham, and Castle Bromwich Hall.
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Why Birmingham and why Castle Bromwich Hall? I'm researching a particular colonial chap and he was born in Birmingham and was brought up at CBH. CBH is now a hotel, so how better than to carry on the research than by staying the night.
One arrives in the accustomed style:
The place was built in the mid 1500s and has remained largely unaltered since the early 1700s My guy lived here in the late 1700s. My room was on the top 'floor' - one of the attic jobs. But pretty good at GBP110. RH pic shows the nearby church with was built as the 'private chapel' for the Earl of something who built the pile.
The web site says no pics inside, so I e-mailed them telling of my study interest and got back a reply that one of their 'residents', had researched the house and would I like to meet him? yes, please!
So I meet him, a lovely guy, who immediately reminded me of 'The Major' in Faulty towers, in that he was in tweed jacket and tie, about the same age, but definitely NOT at all daffy like The Major. Told me a bunch about the history of the house and he in turn was interested in my studies. he was able to take me for a private tour of some of the non public areas of the house (at least to regular house guests).
Back around the house:
In additions to the gardens you see, there is a very large garden, part of the original estate, now one of the best preserved 18th century gardens in Britain, but its managed by a separate trust, so not open to guests.
One arrives in the accustomed style:
The place was built in the mid 1500s and has remained largely unaltered since the early 1700s My guy lived here in the late 1700s. My room was on the top 'floor' - one of the attic jobs
. But pretty good at GBP110. RH pic shows the nearby church with was built as the 'private chapel' for the Earl of something who built the pile.The web site says no pics inside, so I e-mailed them telling of my study interest and got back a reply that one of their 'residents', had researched the house and would I like to meet him? yes, please!
So I meet him, a lovely guy, who immediately reminded me of 'The Major' in Faulty towers, in that he was in tweed jacket and tie, about the same age, but definitely NOT at all daffy like The Major. Told me a bunch about the history of the house and he in turn was interested in my studies. he was able to take me for a private tour of some of the non public areas of the house (at least to regular house guests).
Back around the house:
In additions to the gardens you see, there is a very large garden, part of the original estate, now one of the best preserved 18th century gardens in Britain, but its managed by a separate trust, so not open to guests.
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Dinner was a good 'ol piece of English lamb, and the cheeses after. Capital!
Next day I didn't have much planned, other than to go into Birmingham Library to look at some archives.
Castle Bromwich Hall is a bit out of town, but conveniently an express bus goes from almost right outside, to the centre of downtown. Funnily enough, the city terminus is a place called 'Old Square' - which is one of the places I wanted to check out, for research. Unfortunately nothing left of the old features now.
But made up for by the fantastic court house. A magnificent expression of Victorian prosperity.
St Philip's Cathedral (formerly church, where my guy was baptised etc), built early 1700s.
The stained glass, by Edward Burne-Jones area feature:
It was a lovely day and I walked a bit around the central area, and was impressed. What I had previously thought to be a dowdy midlands city has spruced itself up very well and was nice to be in.
City hall:
The library is new - which the city gets big brownie points for. most places are downsizing their libraries, so this place, with its archives centre was a great find. When I asked about using the archives, they first asked 'You need an appointment, would you like one for tomorrow. When I told them about my research and that I only had today, they fitted me in without fuss and I spent a few productive hours there. Great place!
Next day I didn't have much planned, other than to go into Birmingham Library to look at some archives.
Castle Bromwich Hall is a bit out of town, but conveniently an express bus goes from almost right outside, to the centre of downtown. Funnily enough, the city terminus is a place called 'Old Square' - which is one of the places I wanted to check out, for research. Unfortunately nothing left of the old features now.
But made up for by the fantastic court house. A magnificent expression of Victorian prosperity.
St Philip's Cathedral (formerly church, where my guy was baptised etc), built early 1700s.
The stained glass, by Edward Burne-Jones area feature:
It was a lovely day and I walked a bit around the central area, and was impressed. What I had previously thought to be a dowdy midlands city has spruced itself up very well and was nice to be in.
City hall:
The library is new - which the city gets big brownie points for. most places are downsizing their libraries, so this place, with its archives centre was a great find. When I asked about using the archives, they first asked 'You need an appointment, would you like one for tomorrow. When I told them about my research and that I only had today, they fitted me in without fuss and I spent a few productive hours there. Great place!
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Yes, I've been following it. Armageddon ain't in it!
Left Birmingham and ended up at LHR T5 to return the hire car. 'Systems down', so I couldn't properly check in, so I made sure to photograph the car and to get the guy to write 'tank full' and 'no damage', the kms, etc etc manually for me. And just as well. When I checked my e-invoice when it arrived the next day, there was a GBP 15 'fuel service' charge. A few days later I managed to call them from India and they quickly saw that '0 km' was recorded (obviously an error) and the system had automatically then applied the fuel service charge as less than 75km driven. I'm not sure why it should automatically apply the fuel charge, as I would fill it up anyway. Refund on the card promised. Geez I HATE rental companies and how often they have 'oops sorry' charges added.
It was then back to the Sofitel at T5, which as I noted up-thread I find really nice - a true Sofitel. My last stay, I got a really good price, but this time, I got soaked. I kept looking at the booking price over some weeks, months before and it stayed resolutely high (as in A$350+). Oh, well, the price you pay for convenience (both car rental and the airport) and comfort.
Room was on a corner overlooking the arrival court, but triple glazing meant I heard nothing.
I'm only a Gold Accor member. I don't know how I've kept that, as I gave up on Accor a year ago after they screwed me around too many times, but still little treats on arrival (LH pic). I had dinner in their 'better' restaurant, and to my surprise it wasn't that expensive (FX aside). Amuse bouche to start with.
I couldn't resist scallops, but when three - just three - arrived, I thought dinner WAS looking a bit ex-y. Mains was a bit thin on the ground, but in the end it was a nice meal.
Left Birmingham and ended up at LHR T5 to return the hire car. 'Systems down', so I couldn't properly check in, so I made sure to photograph the car and to get the guy to write 'tank full' and 'no damage', the kms, etc etc manually for me. And just as well. When I checked my e-invoice when it arrived the next day, there was a GBP 15 'fuel service' charge.
A few days later I managed to call them from India and they quickly saw that '0 km' was recorded (obviously an error) and the system had automatically then applied the fuel service charge as less than 75km driven. I'm not sure why it should automatically apply the fuel charge, as I would fill it up anyway. Refund on the card promised. Geez I HATE rental companies and how often they have 'oops sorry' charges added. It was then back to the Sofitel at T5, which as I noted up-thread I find really nice - a true Sofitel. My last stay, I got a really good price, but this time, I got soaked. I kept looking at the booking price over some weeks, months before and it stayed resolutely high (as in A$350+). Oh, well, the price you pay for convenience (both car rental and the airport) and comfort.
Room was on a corner overlooking the arrival court, but triple glazing meant I heard nothing.
I'm only a Gold Accor member. I don't know how I've kept that, as I gave up on Accor a year ago after they screwed me around too many times, but still little treats on arrival (LH pic). I had dinner in their 'better' restaurant, and to my surprise it wasn't that expensive (FX aside). Amuse bouche to start with.
I couldn't resist scallops, but when three - just three - arrived, I thought dinner WAS looking a bit ex-y. Mains was a bit thin on the ground, but in the end it was a nice meal.
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JL42, LHR-HND in JAL's B787 was the 'signature' flight for my trip. Eagerly awaited. Train to T3 where JAL departs from at abt 6am.
Only 1 agent on duty F and J at JAL counters, so a minor wait then off to security with gritted teeth. Fast track available. I looked at the various queues before committing, and Fast Track only had 1 guy there, so I chose it. My god. How do some people function through the day? It is an old fashioned x ray arrangement. Just ONE spot for a pax to unload their stuff; you can't do it in parallel, and you can't jump around. The guy in front I swear must be either the stoopidest or something pax to ever go through security, or he was playing a game (I think the former). He had to be coached by the agent on every, single, item to be put out into the trays. One by one. One LAG container, by one lag container "this one?" "yes"; "this one?" "yes" ... and so on; one electronic piece by one. He handed over a 3/4 drunk water bottle. Agent suggests he drink the remainder. they have a little chat as to what's available to drink air side. REALLY?
Eventually I can't stand it and I ask the agent if I could get a tray to put my stuff (which was at the ready) and go by. No, I had to wait. the guy eventually got the message. Honestly, what a little ****.
Lounge as the BA lounge T3 which many would have had more experience than me. Pretty basic and I just had something to quell the worms, as I would eat on the plane.
Its 2-2-2 on the B787, with the window seats the pick of the bunch, very private, with direct aisle access. So why the HECK didn't I select one? I have thought and thought and I just don't know. Rookie mistake. I was on the inside block butI have to say although the window would have been preferable, there was little wrong with the aisle seat.
Blanket, pillow, slippers headphones (not NC) and a small amenity kit on the seat.
Plenty of leg room of course. Power etc all very convenient. Handy storage space a little in short supply, but things can go on the pedestal, but awkward when you have the tray table deployed.
Partition goes up early. if you are a couple, neither the window pair or the centre pair make for easy conversation. Possibly the centre pair is better. Was offered a cardigan - one size DIDN'T fit all
PDB was Charles Heidsieck, in rather crummy plastic cup, but one must do ... I didn't get my camera out in time, but I didn't know that there was a Concorde parked at the end of the runway at LHR!
Menus. Drinks were OK without being spectacular choice. After the first meal, it was dine-on-demand, and these are the pages for that part of the menu.
This was lunch, and there was no question it was going to be the Japanese for me!
Amuse bouch, introduced by the charming FA as 'your amusement', then the main course, which was a great presentation.
The RH pic was actually part of lunch. The LH pic is "Lon-don" which I had later as dine-on-demand as we approached HND.
Most of the items are cold, and I guess its easier to have a great presentation when its cold, and some fancy food dye helps! But still a great experience.
One negative was the pillow, strangely enough. You can see it in the first and third pairs of pics. It was flat and hard-ish. More like a cushion you'd take to the footy to sit on, than a pillow. I thought I might be missing something, but that's all that was available. I slept OK, but would have been much more comfortable with a regular airline pillow. The cabin also got a bit warm, which I had read on AFF is pretty normal.
FAs were really good. CSM was attentive, and engaged frequently. None of the FAs seemed to shy away due to English issues and all could understand me and me them. IFE selection was good, although I didn't use it much.
A great flight, and if the pillow was better, and with NC headphones, it would have been a fantastic flight!
Only 1 agent on duty F and J at JAL counters, so a minor wait then off to security with gritted teeth. Fast track available. I looked at the various queues before committing, and Fast Track only had 1 guy there, so I chose it. My god. How do some people function through the day? It is an old fashioned x ray arrangement. Just ONE spot for a pax to unload their stuff; you can't do it in parallel, and you can't jump around. The guy in front I swear must be either the stoopidest or something pax to ever go through security, or he was playing a game (I think the former). He had to be coached by the agent on every, single, item to be put out into the trays. One by one. One LAG container, by one lag container "this one?" "yes"; "this one?" "yes" ... and so on; one electronic piece by one. He handed over a 3/4 drunk water bottle. Agent suggests he drink the remainder. they have a little chat as to what's available to drink air side. REALLY?
Eventually I can't stand it and I ask the agent if I could get a tray to put my stuff (which was at the ready) and go by. No, I had to wait. the guy eventually got the message. Honestly, what a little ****.
Lounge as the BA lounge T3 which many would have had more experience than me. Pretty basic and I just had something to quell the worms, as I would eat on the plane.
Its 2-2-2 on the B787, with the window seats the pick of the bunch, very private, with direct aisle access. So why the HECK didn't I select one? I have thought and thought and I just don't know. Rookie mistake. I was on the inside block butI have to say although the window would have been preferable, there was little wrong with the aisle seat.
Blanket, pillow, slippers headphones (not NC
) and a small amenity kit on the seat.Plenty of leg room of course. Power etc all very convenient. Handy storage space a little in short supply, but things can go on the pedestal, but awkward when you have the tray table deployed.
Partition goes up early. if you are a couple, neither the window pair or the centre pair make for easy conversation. Possibly the centre pair is better. Was offered a cardigan - one size DIDN'T fit all
PDB was Charles Heidsieck, in rather crummy plastic cup, but one must do ... I didn't get my camera out in time, but I didn't know that there was a Concorde parked at the end of the runway at LHR!
Menus. Drinks were OK without being spectacular choice. After the first meal, it was dine-on-demand, and these are the pages for that part of the menu.
This was lunch, and there was no question it was going to be the Japanese for me!
Amuse bouch, introduced by the charming FA as 'your amusement'
, then the main course, which was a great presentation.The RH pic was actually part of lunch. The LH pic is "Lon-don" which I had later as dine-on-demand as we approached HND.
Most of the items are cold, and I guess its easier to have a great presentation when its cold, and some fancy food dye helps! But still a great experience.
One negative was the pillow, strangely enough. You can see it in the first and third pairs of pics. It was flat and hard-ish. More like a cushion you'd take to the footy to sit on, than a pillow. I thought I might be missing something, but that's all that was available. I slept OK, but would have been much more comfortable with a regular airline pillow. The cabin also got a bit warm, which I had read on AFF is pretty normal.
FAs were really good. CSM was attentive, and engaged frequently. None of the FAs seemed to shy away due to English issues and all could understand me and me them. IFE selection was good, although I didn't use it much.
A great flight, and if the pillow was better, and with NC headphones, it would have been a fantastic flight!
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Heh, heh - you are going to drive your supervisor and examiners nuts
. Make those uni dilettantes work, I say .- Status
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